MULTIPLE AWARD WINNER, AUTHOR,, CORPORATE MC, MENTOR, PROMOTER & AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE -UNIVERSAL PEACE FEDERATION. WE PROMOTE THE SUCCESS STORIES OF AFRICANS & CARIBBEANS AROUND THE WORLD. CONTACT US NOW ON +447882809005
Farhana is a dedicated Financial Controller and fractional FC who also supports clients through her self-employed accountancy services. With a decade of experience in finance, she helps businesses bring clarity to their numbers and build financial confidence, whether they’re just starting out or scaling up.
A proud Muslim woman, twice-and a devoted mother to a teenager, Farhana brings a deeply personal understanding of resilience, discipline, and growth—qualities she lives by and brings into her work. She believes strongly in the power of positivity, faith, and focus to overcome life’s challenges and achieve success.
Outside of her professional life, she’s passionate about health, movement, and mindset—you’ll often find her engaging in physical exercise or connecting with new people. Farhana is committed to living a holistic, purpose-driven life, and continues to strive toward being the best version of herself every day.
Akinwale Ogundipe — Arts and Culture Strategist with a Focus on Community Innovation and Ethical Tech
Akinwale Ogundipe is a Cultural Development Practitioner championing arts, heritage, and community innovation, with a career spanning over 20 years across Africa (Nigeria, Uganda, and Cameroon) and the United Kingdom (Bradford).
His work sits at the intersection of arts and culture, community engagement, artificial intelligence (AI), and programme management, with a strong focus on inclusive participation and cultural sustainability.
Akinwale brings a participatory and impact-driven approach to supporting creative growth, drawing on his extensive experience of developing and managing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems to strengthen the visibility, voice, and value of local cultural expressions. Arts & Culture Engagement
Akinwale has played a central role in promoting cultural heritage preservation and creative sector development in both Nigeria and the UK. He was exposed to arts and culture during his days as a teenager, attending cultural festivals and community rites.
He was the president of a social-cultural student club called the Kegites club back in his undergraduate programme at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria.
He won the best club on camp award for the 1999/2000 academic year.
He currently leads strategic monitoring and evaluation efforts for The Leap Bradford CIC, a creative place-based programme in Bradford, UK, facilitating inclusive cultural participation and capacity-building among artists and communities.
He has designed and delivered initiatives such as:
Culture and Heritage week during the yearly student union week at the Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Nigeria.
The Arts, Culture and Heritage Creatives Workshops in Nigerian secondary schools, which nurture young talents through cultural education, monthly activities, and creative engagements,
Oversight and support for community-led arts initiatives under the Creative Places Partner (CPP) programme, including documenting the diversity of awardees and assessing the social impact of funded projects.
The Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme capacity development as a Master Trainer for Community Researchers, where he supports the development of a local cultural workforce by training and mentoring individuals to document, evaluate, and shape arts and culture initiatives from within their communities.
Supporting cultural festivals research, such as the ongoing study into the Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA), focusing on heritage preservation and intercultural connection. Creative programming that integrates intergenerational participation, including storytelling sessions, truck art installations, and community heritage projects.
Volunteering & Community Leadership Akinwale is deeply embedded in grassroots cultural development. His volunteer experiences include:
Served as Children’s Extra Class Coordinator at his church back in Nigeria, developing inclusive programs that introduce children to arts, culture, and storytelling.
Served as a system-strengthening volunteer with the Volunteering Bradford team, where I designed a basic case management tool and trained programme staff.
Served as event runner and venue assistant for the Bradford Literature Festival in 2023 and 2025.
Serving as a volunteer Community researcher, master trainer, and event evaluator for the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme.
Volunteering for a community-focused organisation like Johnson Community Support Initiative (JCSI) to deliver arts and heritage workshops in schools, offering mentorship and co-developing local awards and cash grants for young creatives.
Supporting several cultural workshops and festivals through logistical planning, training, and the facilitation of feedback loops between organisers and local participants. These engagements reflect his commitment to cultural access, youth empowerment, and the sustainability of heritage knowledge systems.
Academic Background Akinwale holds: MSc in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics from the University of Bradford, UK MSc in Health Management (Public Health) from the International Telematic University UNINETTUNO, Italy These academic foundations have enabled him to explore the interplay of emerging technologies, health, and culture, particularly how AI can serve the public good through culturally sensitive frameworks and ethical deployment.
Research Interests Akinwale’s current research interest is on developing an ethical AI framework for evaluating cultural policy and measuring the social impact of arts and cultural programmes.
This research aims to: Integrate participatory evaluation methodologies that reflect the lived experiences, voices, and values of cultural stakeholders and creative communities. Design trust-based and transparent AI systems that respect cultural sovereignty and advance equity in how data is collected, analysed, and interpreted within the arts. Adopt a collaborative, mixed-methods approach, co-designing AI-driven evaluation tools with artists, cultural leaders, policymakers, and data practitioners to ensure relevance, accountability, and community ownership.
His proposed framework seeks to balance responsibility, compliance, and creativity, ensuring AI tools used in the sector are inclusive, non-exploitative, and capable of enhancing community well being
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the *National Museum, Bradford*, as *Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA-2025)* presents a *showcase of 5 epic African films* that will captivate your heart and mind.
*Date:* 14th August 2025
*Time:* 6:00 PM
*Venue:* National Museum, Bradford
From powerful storytelling to vibrant cultures, this is your chance to immerse yourself in the very best of African cinema — all in one night.
The CRID Convention 2025 is a global gathering of Cross Riverians from around the world to celebrate heritage, foster community, and drive progress for the future of Cross River State. Over three days, attendees will experience an inspiring mix of keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions, cultural performances, and networking opportunities.
Event Highlights -1st–3rd August 2025 | Birmingham, UK 10AM – 10PM Daily
Keynote Speeches: Featuring the Nigerian High Commissioner and other thought leaders.
Panel Discussions: Explore sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and diaspora contributions.
Workshops: Hands-on sessions on leadership, gender inclusion, and innovation.
Dinner Night: A glamorous evening with cultural music, CRS delicacies, awards, and entertainment.
Fundraising Initiative: Raising $20,000 for the CRID Rural Water Project to provide clean water to communities in Cross River State.
Join us for 3 impactful days of connection, collaboration, and celebration as we highlight the diaspora’s role in the development and sustainability of Cross River State.
Special guests include top dignitaries and international leaders!
COACH WAYNE VIP WILL BE A GUEST SPEAKER AT OUR GLOBAL SPEAKERS VIRTUAL SUMMIT ON THE 28TH OF AUGUST 2025. INFORMATION ABOUT COACH WAYNE VIP CAN BE FOUND BELOW.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO GET YOUR FREE TICKET FOR OUR GLOBAL SPEAKERS SUMMIT. DO NOY DELAY – LIMITED SPACES
Wayne Dawson—known to many as Coach Wayne, VIP—is a sought-after speaker, moderator, and midlife men’s coach whose voice leaves a lasting impact on every stage and mic he touches. Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, and now leading conversations nationwide from South Florida, Wayne brings over two decades of transformational leadership—from reviving Caribbean resorts to directing youth initiatives in New York City, to coaching men of color through bold life pivots. He is the Founder and CEO of VIP Transformative Living LLC and a proud honoree of Black Leaders Worldwide’s “Men to Watch 2025.”
What makes Wayne truly memorable is his magnetic blend of real-world wisdom, cultural pride, and heartfelt authenticity. Whether he’s coaching a mid-career professional through burnout, moderating a panel on youth empowerment, or mentoring through Gentlemen of The Future, Wayne shows up with warmth, clarity, and lived experience. A former Fortune 100 L&D leader, adjunct professor, and proud vegan dad of a blended family of 10, Wayne is a voice you don’t just hear—you feel.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SUMMIT
Global Speaking Summit 2025Voices Without Borders | Impact Without Limits
On Thursday, 28th August 2025, the world tunes in—and your voice takes the stage.
The Global Speaking Summit 2025 is a high-energy, virtual gathering of bold storytellers, emerging speakers, and global thought leaders united by one mission: to speak with purpose, passion, and power.
Broadcast live online, this electrifying summit showcases the finest voices from the Purpose Driven Public Speaking program alongside guest speakers, interactive panels, and surprise spotlights from across the globe.
This is not just an event.This is your global stage.This is the moment your message goes worldwide.
MR ANTHONY LANE WILL BE A GUEST SPEAKER AT OUR GLOBAL SPEAKERS VIRTUAL SUMMIT ON THE 28TH OF AUGUST 2025. INFORMATION ABOUT ANTHONY CAN BE FOUND BELOW.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO GET YOUR FREE TICKET FOR OUR GLOBAL SPEAKERS SUMMIT. DO NOY DELAY – LIMITED SPACES
Lane Anthony is a highly successful educator and school leader with over 40 years of experience in the UK education system. His career has been marked by a relentless drive for innovation and a commitment to creating inclusive learning environments. His personal journey, detailed within the book, reveals his own neurodivergent identity, which he discovered whilst writing Autism a Superpower – The Awakening, providing a unique and authentic perspective on the power of neurodiversity.
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About DECKACY:
DECKACY is a charity dedicated to creating insightful and transformative educational resources that promote understanding, inclusivity, and empowerment within the fields of neurodiversity and learning.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SUMMIT
Global Speaking Summit 2025Voices Without Borders | Impact Without Limits
On Thursday, 28th August 2025, the world tunes in—and your voice takes the stage.
The Global Speaking Summit 2025 is a high-energy, virtual gathering of bold storytellers, emerging speakers, and global thought leaders united by one mission: to speak with purpose, passion, and power.
Broadcast live online, this electrifying summit showcases the finest voices from the Purpose Driven Public Speaking program alongside guest speakers, interactive panels, and surprise spotlights from across the globe.
Whether you’re watching or speaking, prepare to: Be inspired by real voices and raw storiesWitness powerful speaker transformations Discover what it takes to move hearts and minds across cultures
This is not just an event.This is your global stage.This is the moment your message goes worldwide.
LN247 News website is a Content Hub that provides news and information which cuts across diverse ethnocultural backgrounds, world over and Africa in particular.
LN247 is NBC licensed and airs on Astra 2F Frequency 11675 MHz H 30000. We also have our networks airing on Terrestrial TV at Lagos and Abuja as LN247 Lagos / LN247 Abuja respectively.
We are currently selecting guests based in the Diaspora to appear on LN247 TV STATION NIGERIA who are making a profound difference in the arts as well as making a big impact in peoples lives. For more information you can contact me on +447882809005
MR ARO LEONARD WILL BE A GUEST SPEAKER AT OUR GLOBAL SPEAKERS VIRTUAL SUMMIT ON THE 28TH OF AUGUST 2025. INFORMATION ABOUT MR ARO LEONARD CAN BE FOUND BELOW. CLICK ON THE LINK BEWLO TO GET YOUR FREE TICKET FOR OUR GLOBAL SPEAKERS SUMMIT. DO NOY DELAY – LIMITED SPACES
Aro Leonard, Development Communications, Broadcast, Media & Environment Expert, with an extensive media goodwill, is the to-go person for media development and communications in Nigeria. Currently consults for major International Development, Government & Corporate Organisations, helping with strategic communications on key thematic areas like Governance, Health, Environment, & Resilience. Member, External Advisory Board, PACTS project of LSTM UK, and spearheading strategic media trainings on Tropical Diseases across Africa. Set up the first Healthy Lifestyle Radio/TV station in Nigeria, and helps build capacity for development focused, and revenue yielding content for media organisations. As Head of Media Development at BBC Media Action, was responsible for securing the organisation’s status as “media development partner of choice” for major International Donors Agencies. Effectively managed partnerships worth over £35 million annually and played key roles in all project design & implementation. Led key media strategies, collaborating with stakeholders towards peaceful elections and accountability. Produced the award-winning youth reproductive health magazine show “Flava” & one of the largest HIV Spots campaigns in the world. Founded Kleverest Scenta in 1999 – Nigeria’s foremost media volunteer scheme where young broadcast and communications enthusiasts are trained. Previously worked Internews Network, Aso Radio & the Federal Environment Protection Agency. A Music Composer & Live Sound Instructor.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SUMMIT
Global Speaking Summit 2025Voices Without Borders | Impact Without Limits
On Thursday, 28th August 2025, the world tunes in—and your voice takes the stage.
The Global Speaking Summit 2025 is a high-energy, virtual gathering of bold storytellers, emerging speakers, and global thought leaders united by one mission: to speak with purpose, passion, and power.
Broadcast live online, this electrifying summit showcases the finest voices from the Purpose Driven Public Speaking program alongside guest speakers, interactive panels, and surprise spotlights from across the globe.
🎙️ Whether you’re watching or speaking, prepare to:✅ Be inspired by real voices and raw stories✅ Witness powerful speaker transformations✅ Discover what it takes to move hearts and minds across cultures
This is not just an event.This is your global stage.This is the moment your message goes worldwide.
My name is Martin Scott. I am a member of the Bradford Black History Committee, which is chaired by Nigel Guy MBE.
I am a Black African Caribbean Teacher of 24 years with an MA in Education. My action research approach studies focused on the effectiveness of Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning in educational settings.
I try to include and explore these issues in theatrical pieces, prose, music and films that I create. I am also a self taught musician and a member of the Leeds music house gospel choir.I have collaborated with various musicians in Bradford and Leeds on multiple projects.
I have also created a mini documentary called ‘Seeing with imagination’ which reflects on members of Bradford’s Black Caribbean community and the way they have overcome trauma through connection with the wider community.
I am currently working as a humanities teacher in Bradford at a school located in a definitively deprived area. In my opinion, for the students to know how to build bridges, cultural capital and an expression of their ideas and emotions outside of their own cultural references is needed.
I have a passion for trying to encourage unheard voices opportunities to be heard and understood. My belief is that it will help Bradford to grow into an even better artistically active and engaged multicultural city.
The Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA) is an annual celebration of the rich and diverse artistic expressions of African cultures. With its intending debut in July 2024, BAFA is an event in the city of Bradford, UK, providing a platform for artists, performers, and cultural ambassadors from across the African community in diaspora to share their talents and traditions with a global audience.
This year, BAFA will transform the city of Bradford into a vibrant tapestry of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and culinary delights to mention but a few. The festival features captivating performances, thought-provoking exhibitions, and immersive cultural experiences that celebrate the richness and diversity of African cultures.
COME AND BE PART OF THIS AMAZING ANNUAL INITIATIVE
Join us for the *2nd Edition of the Bradford African Festival of Art (BAFA 2025)* a vibrant celebration of African culture, creativity, and community! which will be taking place from Wednesday the 13th of August to Saturday the 16th of August 2025 AT VARIOUS VENUES (PLEASE REFER TO THE LINK BELOW TO GET YOUR TICKETS AND FOR LIST OF VENUES )
Expect a spectacular showcase of:
* Live music and dance * Art exhibitions * African fashion and cuisine * African movie * Cultural workshops * Family-friendly activities & more!
KINDLY CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW – DO NOT DELAY, LIMITED SPACES
TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 